As a Community Manager for Momio, I see a lot of what kids talk about these days. I communicate with a lot of kids and parents via support emails – and sometimes I feel like a middle-woman trying to explain the rules to kids, and explaining why kids act like they do to their parents while ensuring them not to worry.

In order to understand what these kids are going through, I often think back to the time I was their age. Life can still be messy at 25, but I can’t even begin to explain all the feelings I had when I was growing up. I have to admit, I have a lot of compassion for these kids. #BeenThereDoneThat. (If any kids/youngsters are reading this: IT GETS BETTER, I PROMISE!)

I remember being intensely in love, feeling awkward in my own growing body, hating how I blushed every time someone just looked at me, switching dramatically between being happy and sad throughout the whole day. Things just seemed boring and unfair. Life simply did not make sense. Why would I need to find the answers to my homework, when I could just copy the answers my best friend already found to be correct? Seriously, that was not effective business in my eyes.

I think it is important for us adults to look back once in a while, in order to learn to be more patient. Adults tend to have this glossy image of when they were young and life was easy. And maybe it was for you. But even though I grew up in an amazing area, went to a safe school, had incredible and supportive parents, were never bullied or had any issues with getting through school – my head was still a mess. I thank the universe every single day I won’t have to experience that kid/teenage drama ever again. I love how I can enjoy my work, a cup of coffee and drama-free life every single day. Adult life is pretty sweet if you ask me.

So even though your kid is acting out, trust me, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent, the kid doesn’t like you or that they’re spoiled. They’re just going through a phase, and it’s hard for them: No matter how good their life actually is, the feelings are still there. What we really should do, is try to help them get through it – be supportive. Ask them what is wrong, try to explain how this will become better with age and be patient.

This is something that helps me when I see kids acting ungrateful or unreasonable. I try to understand their perspective. So, dear amazing parents out there – you are all doing an fantastic job! But I think we all need a little reminder to be patient sometimes.

About the author:

Ingse Bergh Monsen, Momio

Ingse is the Norwegian Community Manager, and has worked for Momio since 2014. She has a Master’s degree in Service Management with a minor in Sustainable Business. Besides her field of education, her interests include exploring good business ethics, service management and exciting social media phenomena.

Do you follow your rules?

Many children have clear rules about what they are allowed to share on the internet. But do their parents follow the rules? It can be really awkward if your picture gets shared without permission – especially if it’s your own parent doing it! We will ask Momio users to share their thoughts and experiences on the topic.

Emojis are a big deal and a kind of a language in and of itself, so we are putting focus on them. We’re asking the children to pick an emoji and explain it so that even their grandparents would understand. That will be fun and educational! We will share the best explanations on Twitter. We are also asking if the kids have ever misunderstood an emoji, and what happened afterwards.

It can be hard to understand what the internet actually is – and if you don’t know that, how can you aim for a better internet? One of the challenges we give to the kids is to explain the internet… to a cat! Having to explain something is a great way to discover what you lack in knowledge, and it makes you intrigued to find out more.

Let’s be the change!

We started the week by asking the Momio kids what “Be the change: Unite for a better internet”, Safer Internet Day’s slogan for 2017, means. Our favorite answer so far is this:

“I think it means that you have to help: Make sure others don’t get hacked or bullied, and that you don’t bully others either.”

This 10-year-old girl couldn’t have put it better!

And our challenge to you, the parents, is: Ask your child to teach you something about the internet. You will both be surprised by how much you can learn!

Picture: Abi from Momio Denmark

About the author:

Silja Nielsen, Momio

Silja Nielsen is Head of Community and Safety at Momio. She has worked at the company since 2010. Silja has a master’s degree in Media Studies and is interested in privacy, online behaviour and online communities.